The Case for Collaborative Care and Collaborative Education

Patient outcomes improve. Medical complications decrease. Team members feel respected. The primary factor that led me to pursue a degree in nursing was working to improve the blueprint for success by employing collaboration and teamwork. It was a natural fit to supplement my core curriculum by immersing myself in the Pennoni Honors College, a spot on the Drexel campus known for its collaborative efforts.

Being a part of the prestigious Pennoni Honors program was a privilege that opened doors to unique opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

Being a Pennoni student offered me the opportunity to integrate information, research, and experiential learning covering multiple disciplines and fields of study. I took many classes outside of my core nursing courses, driving home the need for collaborative education among majors and disciplines. Course topics included biodiversity and the studies of American biologist, E. O. Wilson; community engagement and social impact; the architecture and history of Philadelphia rowhomes; examining how our society has evolved with modern technology; and exploring civility and what it means to be "mannered" and/or "civilized" in today's society.

Being a part of the prestigious Pennoni Honors program was a privilege that opened doors to unique opportunities for both personal and professional growth. By embracing the Honors program's commitment to innovative and interdisciplinary education, I have been empowered to excel in my studies, collaborate with esteemed faculty, and actively engage in health care initiatives.

My deeply engrained passion for nursing and health care motivates me to make a positive impact in the lives of patients as well as contribute toward the advancement of the nursing profession. That is why, before I graduated and with help from Pennoni Honors College, I attended the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) Conference with the Drexel Student Nurses Association (DSNA) in Nashville. The purpose of this student-centered conference is to unite and guide nursing students, foster collaboration, provide networking opportunities with mentors and health care systems across the United States, and support our journey throughout our nursing education.

A major portion of the conference involved resolution hearings, where student delegates can listen and unanimously vote upon resolutions written by nursing students to be adopted by the NSNA. These resolutions included a diverse range of topics, such as efforts to decrease nurse burnout, provide care post-COVID-19, advocate for increased accessibility to lactating spaces, enhance student nurses' knowledge of cultural competence through simulation, and integrate interprofessional education into the nursing curriculum. The DSNA collaborated with nursing students at the University of Connecticut to submit a resolution titled Increasing Awareness of Supportive Nurse Leadership to Manage Moral Distress, Job Satisfaction, and Nurse Retention, seeking to promote supportive nurse leadership styles, raise awareness about moral distress, and empower nurses to create positive work environments.

The conference allowed me to immerse myself in an educational environment, where inspiring speakers, engaging workshops, and the resolution hearings deepened my understanding of critical nursing issues and leadership skills. I am confident that I have gained further knowledge and motivation to strive for excellence as a nurse and make meaningful impacts on my future coworkers, patients, and my community.